APSU Child Learning Center earns Gold Sneaker Award from Gov. Haslam

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Last year, Connie Sanders, director of the Austin Peay State
University Child Learning Center, became concerned about the preschool-aged children
under her care. Many of them brought sack lunches with junk food and sugary treats,
and she knew they weren’t getting enough exercise at home.

Obesity and diabetes loomed in their future, so Sanders and her staff decided to do
something before it was too late.

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Last year, Connie Sanders, director of the Austin Peay State
University Child Learning Center, became concerned about the preschool-aged children
under her care. Many of them brought sack lunches with junk food and sugary treats,
and she knew they weren’t getting enough exercise at home.

Obesity and diabetes loomed in their future, so Sanders and her staff decided to do
something before it was too late.

“We completely revamped our menus,” she said. “We don’t serve sugar at all. We serve
fresh fruits as often as we can. We also do more than 30 minutes of physical activity
with the children every day, in addition to the time we spend outside.”

These changes, along with APSU’s decision to go smoke-free, caught the attention of
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, and on Jan. 4, he named the Child Learning Center a Gold
Sneaker Facility. The CLC is one of only seven child care centers in Montgomery County
to receive this designation.

The state’s Gold Sneaker Initiative was developed to enhance policies related to health
and wellness within licensed child care facilities across Tennessee. The main criteria
for the award include providing healthy food options, physical activities and keeping
children away from tobacco smoke.

The children enrolled at the CLC are required to bring a lunch each day with a fruit,
a vegetable, a grain and a protein. Later, if they’re not outside playing, they watch
and participate in an aerobic video led by adults dressed as zoo animals.

“They love the exercises,” Sanders said. “Their parents go to school all day, or work
all day, and when they come home, they’re too tired. Or they have to study for an
exam. They don’t have time in their busy schedule to do outdoor activities with their
children every day.”

As part of the Gold Sneaker Facility award, the CLC received $200 worth of merchandise
from the Governor’s Office. The merchandise includes games, posters and other items
that promote wellness in youngsters.

The CLC, located in the Sexton building on campus, serves children from 2 ½ to 5 years
in age, along with afterschool care for children up to the age of 8. For more information
on the center or its Gold Sneaker Facility designation, contact Sanders at 221-6234.